2009 Domaine de la Janasse "Terre d'Argile" Côtes du Rhône-Villages

SKU #1074052
91
points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2009 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Terre d'Argile is sensational. Notes of black currants and cherries as well as hints of charcoal, truffle, new saddle leather and earth all jump from the glass of this blend of 70% Grenache and the rest mostly Mourvedre with a touch of Carignan. Aged completely in foudres and older small barrels, it is dense ruby/purple, full-bodied, opulent, and ideal for drinking over the next 5-6 years.
(10/ 2011)

90
points
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

(70% grenache, 25% old vines carignane and bits of mourvedre and syrah; the grenache is raised in foudres and the rest in barriques): Opaque purple. Powerful aromas of cherry and blackberry, along with alluring potpourri and mineral notes and a gentle suggestion of licorice. Full, fleshy red and dark berry liqueur flavors are lifted by a tangy mineral note and gain energy with air. Taut and focused on the spicy finish, showing an exotic hint of floral pastilles.
(5/ 2012)

2009 Domaine de la Janasse "Terre d'Argile" Côtes du Rhône-Villages

Wine Scores

Below is a listing of the wine review scores we frequently reference in our notes. While these sources remain an excellent source of information, we always recommend that you trust your own palate. Scores in these publications often represent the personal taste of an individual critic, which may not always coincide with your own. We have a huge team of excellent wine professionals that can match wines you've had in the past with new arrivals that meet your flavor profile.

Product Reviews:

Certainly not your everyday bargain wine, this Cotes du Rhone is deep and concentrated, stemming from the solid 09 vintage, delivers the depth of flavor and richness people expect from the Rhone. Boysenberry and blackberry are the dark purple notes of fruit, rounded out with a touch of earth and spice, really quite complex.

As most of you are aware by now, 2009 was an exceptional vintage throughout the Southern Rhône, blessed with a relatively hot, dry summer that allowed the fruit to develop intense ripeness and maximum flavor, combined with healthy, attractive tannins. Grenache dominates this powerful, full-bodied aromatic blend, marked by a concentrated palate of currants and black cherry tinged by strapping layers of mineral earth, leather and smoky spice. This wine's rich, persuasive personality might convince a steak to jump onto a grill in anticipation of something wonderful.

This is not ordinary Côtes du Rhône. Intense dark fruit, earth, leather, spice and nicely textured. This is not a burger or pizza wine (it would be awesome with them) but this is a touch more serious and interesting and deserves a little more attention.

Additional Information:

Varietal:

Rhone Blends

Country:

France

- When it comes to wine, France stands alone. No other country can beat it in terms of quality and diversity. And while many of its Region, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne most obviously, produce wine as rare, as sought-after and nearly as expensive as gold, there are just as many obscurities and values to be had from little known appellations throughout the country. To learn everything there is to know about French wine would take a lifetime. To understand and appreciate French wine, one only has to begin tasting them. Click for a list of bestselling items from all of France.

Sub-Region:

Rhone

- Legendary wine-producing region in southeast France. Stereotypically speaking, Rhone wines are high in alcohol, and the majority produced is red. The northern Rhone is best known for outstanding 100% Syrah wines from areas such as Cote Rotie and Hermitage, as well as for fabulous white wines from Condrieu (where Viognier is king). In the southern Rhone, look for spicy, full-bodied wines that are blends of Grenache, Syrah, and other varietals coming from appellations such as Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, or Rasteau. Wines labeled as Cote du Rhone or Cotes du Rhone Village (a cut above generic Cotes du Rhone) are frequently found here in the US because they often represent some of the best values on the market. View our bestselling Rhone Valley wines.